It's just around the corner!

We are booking holiday sessions starting...NOW!

Our much anticipated annual Holiday Mini Sessions are now open for business!

This year we are thrilled to announce that we found a very talented local artist and commissioned a series of cards just for our clients. These are truly one-of-a-kind, and her cards are festive and modern...such a sweet combination!


Know that we are FULLY BOOKED through the rest of 2007, and are only booking mini sessions for the remainder of this year. We will resume booking full-on family sessions in March of 2008.

"Tell me more about these Mini Sessions."

WHO? For you, your kids, your family! (up to four subjects). We request $50 for each additional participant.

WHEN? Our holiday sessions will take place on the following dates, and additional dates may be scheduled according to demand. We are going to try very hard to fit everyone in and minimize the families we have to turn away (as we've had to do in years past).

Friday, October 19
Friday, October 26

WHERE? Our Holiday Mini Sessions are 20 minute sessions that will take place at a lush, local park. Time slots are scheduled every 30 minutes, beginning at 8:30. Space is *very* limited, so book early as these fill quickly every year.


HOW? Contact Mindy by either email (mindy@sugar-photography.com) or phone (214.315.9459). Once your session fee is paid you'll receive more information on our Mini Sessions, including tips on dressing your family, directions to the location, and a preview of our Holiday Card Collection.

DETAILS Mini Sessions are $250, and include a pack of 25 holiday cards. Additional packages of cards are available for either $75 or $90, depending on the type of card. All cards are 5x7 and are designed on one side (they do not fold). We will provide samples of the various card stocks and upgrades available at your mini session. Proofing and ordering will be done online, though if you prefer an in-person ordering session we are happy to do so (and encourage it)!


Please note-there is a $500 minimum PRINT order with each mini session. Over the past few years our clients have thanked us a million times over for helping them shorten their gift giving list. Hint: Grandparents love nothing more than a gorgeous photo of their precious grandchildren.


ORDERING DEADLINES

Orders will require 2-3 weeks to process, and orders placed by November 3 will be available for pick-up on December 3.

Orders placed between November 12 and November 17 will have a 50% rush fee to ensure they are available by December 15.

Orders placed between November 18 and December 1 will have a 100% rush fee added to ensure they are available by December 23.

We will not process orders placed after December 1 until January of 2008, and our studio will be scheduling a limited number of sessions in January and February (as we down our egg nog and recoup from our awesome, crazy, amazing 2007).

More babies on the way...

Today's two sessions were reminiscent of yesterday's. Prior baby planners that are soon to join the ranks of big brother/sisterhood. It's a big job, but somebody has to do it!

Olivia turns 2 tomorrow! and in 31 days her baby will arrive...will it be a brother or a sister? We'll know in October! Miss Thang was such fun today, and I think the reason her Mommy looks so fabulous is that she has this little monkey to keep her active!



All four grandparents were present and accounted for, and one very special grandfather is battling cancer and undergoing chemotherapy, so it was especially important that we captured the two of them sharing a moment.

Afterwards it was off to drive all of four blocks to see Mr. Jensen and meet his soon-to-be little brother, Hudson. Hudson...Jensen...Hudson....Jensen...Henson...Judsen....do you see my problem? The little guy isn't here yet and I'm already messing up his name!

Jensen was having a rough morning, but through our quick thinking (FYI: tucking a teenage mutant ninja turtle in Mom's tube top WILL get him close enough for a few quick shots) we were able to capture a few smiles before he lost interest in me and my camera completely.

Remember our motto? It's not over until somebody cries...Jensen kept putting my lens cap back on my camera. Coincidence? I think not.

Round 2....

Our crop of second babies is well on it's way, and emails arrive daily with news of siblings coming soon to join current or past baby planners. Caroline's little brother, Matthew (due in November), is already signed up for his year of sessions. Little guy has a lot to live up to, as Caroline was one of my first baby planners (actually, she was the reason we even instigated the baby plan!). Her coffee table book is one of the well loved samples that we pull to show families "THIS is what our goal is for this year...a year full of memories."

I am looking forward to another year with this wonderful family!

Caroline was just 1 the last time I saw her...she is 2.5 now! She was solemn and silent when I arrived, and I asked "Is she talking?". Little did I know, she started and chattered nonstop until we were finished. I loved hearing her raspy little voice!

Paradise found...

My sweet husband is soooo on Cloud 9. I mean, he swept his wife away for a weekend. He arrange childcare. He cleared my calendar. He even took me shopping the night before so I could hit a few sale racks and stock up on summer-wear. And then...he found paradise. In Florida. He's got at least ten open-mouth-insert-foot freebies coming his way.

I won't bore you with the details, but Little Palm Island was so many things. Stunning. Private. And tasty! The food was incredible, and the wildlife thrilling. We were amazed by the wild Key Deer that swim to the island, and enjoyed watching manatee float past our bungalow.

After a long day flying home (that started at 4:30!) and enjoying the kids, I'm heading to bed and will tackle my to-do list tomorrow. Look for our Holiday Mini Session information to be publicized this week. We've updated our print prices and will post details (they will go into effect for sessions booked *after* September 1...our current pricelist will be honored for sessions booked up until this date). We're ready to debut our Holiday card designs-they are truly one-of-a-kind!




(I only had my little point and shoot this weekend, so these aren't the best quality)

MIA

I'm catching an early flight tomorrow with my husband by my side. Don't know where. Found out about the trip just a few days ago (which thankfully gave me enough time to crank out a few slideshows before disappearing for a few days...though I *still* didn't get it all done! Will I ever? That's a question only a fortune cookie can answer). Yes, it's a hard knock life.

Mindy and Debbie are here, holding down the fort while I do my best to enjoy my time away from the kids, the computer, and the Dallas heat. It'll be tough...but I'll do my best. ;)

And a huge public thank you goes out to these ladies for helping the hubster pull this off! And for covering for me while I'm gone. And for the reminder that photography is not a matter of life and death..."have fun! enjoy!".

I will!

If you need *anything*-contact the girls!

For information packets, to schedule a session, or for help with styling for your session-Talk to Mindy (mindy@sugar-photography.com)

For ordering appointments, questions about prints, etc-Debbie is your gal! (debbie@sugar-photography.com)

For those waiting for coffee table books (Clara, Dante/Savana/Rio! I see your mommy and daddy reading this!)-I WILL get these finished next week.

Also-for those missing their ordering galleries. You have not been forgotten. We'll clear this up asapnw! (asap-next week)

Because...did I mention it yet? SCHOOL STARTS WEDNESDAY!!!

On that note...I'm off to pack (hey, it's only midnight and my alarm is set for 5...who needs sleep, right?) and dream of reading a book. on the airplane. (I vaguely remember those days...).

It's alive!

The website is finally up (after a long day of yellow, wedding photography, and the fact that I'm apparently really a man).

Take a look! Let us know what you think! We have a few things to add (like, a recent photo of me!)...but it was worth getting this project off Deb's plate before she developed a twitch and started replying to questions in html code.

Our next immediate fire to put out involves relocating our client ordering galleries, slideshows, etc. Be patient with us, we're new to the world of changing domain names and "what do you mean it doesn't just automatically switch over?".

Hiccup...

We're launching our new site today...in the meantime, there seems to be someone else's site at our url. Fun! I love it when this stuff happens before my morning cup of Starbucks!

Which means a) I'm not feeling very witty, and b) hope that noone decides "Hey-who IS this Sugar Photography I keep hearing about?" and googles us, only to see this.



Stay tuned...the new site rocks!

The epitome of family...

A few weeks ago a reader of this family's blog contacted us to arrange a photo shoot...she wants to remain anonymous, but has generously gifted the family with a print credit. We volunteer with a charity organization known as ACPCG, and through this we arranged a session, a dvd slideshow and a session album with all of their prints. Let's just say that we are doing our part to wallpaper their house with images of their sweet family of four...something they weren't sure they'd have.

Their daughter, Alexa, is three. She has stage IV Neuroblastoma, and the doctors told her parents last fall that she wouldn't make it to Halloween. They were thrilled to be able to bring home their newborn son, Zach, to a family that includes his amazing older sister...and today we did our best to capture this magical time in their lives so they can always remember.

Alexa is a little firecracker...I learned two things very fast: 1) do NOT touch the unicorn on her bed, and 2) she has a zest for life that is absolutely contagious!

We had a ball today, and incorporated not just the normal newborn photos, but also a few of Alexa in her princess room (wearing her princess dress, with her princess crown and slippers, and riding nothing less than a pink unicorn...of course!).

Baby Zack was a doll, and his cute Mommy wanted to surprise his cute Daddy with photos incorporating his sweet porsche in the garage. We were busted by Dad about the time we had little Zach naked on the leather seats, but I'm glad to say that the seats stayed dry, and we have some really fun photos to show for our hard work.



This sweet family is an inspiration...it's meeting families like this one that really puts it all in perspective. Enjoy each day. Hug your babies at night. Be thankful for the small blessings. Savor each moment. Be kind. And don't forget to wear your princess dress often.



Thank you Alexa.

Do you Wiggle?

I have three Wiggles tickets for Saturday night that I can't use (Hubby tells me we're going on a trip, and to pack a swimsuit and a book...let's hope we're avoiding Dean!).

As a result, we can't use our tickets...they are *great* seats! Email me if you're interested!

Jen

Never mind...they have been sold! Thanks all!

It's been a productive day...

This morning we met at the park for 15 month old Madeline's session. We were originally set for Friday, but a birth that I'm set to photograph was scheduled for induction Friday morning. So we shuffled families around, and the induction was then cancelled. I didn't have it in me to shuffle folks around a second time, so I played the 'wait and see' game and put on my poker face.

We had a fabulous day at the park with Miss Madeline. Freshly transplanted from Chicago (a return home for her cute Mommy), she didn't seem to mind the humid Texas August day we had (Cute Mommy and I were sweating buckets). She was quite the fashionista, and trotted out her gorgeous silk dress for the occasion.



Then she modeled her sassy striped pants, and brought her bunny out to have some fun (and lovin') as well:


and you know how the saying goes...you're nobody 'till some bunny loves you!



After that my dear hubby and I decided to visit the Age of Steam Railway Museum in Fair Park (for those of you with a Thomas kid...this museum is a must-see!). No pics of that worth showing, but on the way to lunch I got 'the call'. Baby was on his way, and I hightailed it to the hospital.

I have to take a minute to just say how flattering it is when photographers hire me to document their birth. Of all the births I've photographed, I'd say about half were for other local photogs. It is flattering, intimidating, and also pretty fun as we usually get to chat about cameras and photoshop and other such nonsense while they labor.

Except today...no time for chit-chat. Just a few minutes after I arrived it was decided that because of an infection they would do an immediate c-section. Sad for Mom, and sad for me, as I was then unceremoniously booted to the waiting room instead of capturing the big arrival (no worries-I completely understand...it was fun waiting with the family (there was a severe camera shortage, as you can see)).

And then...he was here!

There was a crush at the nursery window, and I barely managed to snap this awesome shot of the proud new Daddy before being trampled by grandparents (kidding...I leapt out of the way just in time ;)


I loved the cover of this magazine...very appropriate, I thought.


The grandparents were sent back to the recovery room to meet Little Man, and I think this face just says it all...she had waited *so long* to get her hands on that baby!



and once she had him just drank him in.




Little Man's name was announced, and Porter's stats were entered into Grandad's 'book' (he's officially official).



Before being sent to the nursery for antibiotics, the newest member of The Daddy Club had time to sit and memorize his baby boy.



Welcome to the world Baby Porter!

For all the parents out there...

My sister is trying to cheer me up (we have a really sick dog who will probably not make it) :(

This is a scream-Thanks little sis!



and this! I am *rolling*

Gabriella's all grown up!

Baby planners are graduating left and right, and with that last session comes either the announcement of "We'll be seeing you again soon...we're pregnant!" or "We need to get pregnant so we can see you again soon!".

Gabriella falls under the former, and her little brother or sister will be here in just a few months. I was lucky enough to photograph her Mommy's belly pictures back before we knew Gabriella was going to be a Gabriella. Then her newborn, six months, nine months, and now her year old photos have passed us by. Where does the time go?

We had a ball at the park today, and Miss Gabriella was (as always) adorable and perfectly coordinated, right down to her diaper covers and her bows!

These eyelashes *kill* me!



I wish I could take credit for getting her to laugh like this...



but the credit goes to her Daddy, who is quite the cartwheeling dervish! (I had to turn and snap this when he wasn't looking-LOL)



Her brown eyes are just stunning. I'm going to miss her (*sniffle*).




This is one family that won't be back for round 2...they are now in Corpus Christi. If you know of anyone in that area with a similar style of photography-please let me know! I want to make sure this gorgeous, fun family ends up in good hands.

Uncle!

I give up!

I'm working on submitting an order for 15 12x12 gallery wrapped, fine art canvases to hang over the couch in the studio.

What do you think of these? This isn't the final configuration, but these are the choices I've come up with so far.

Do you like? Have you seen anything on the blog that you think would work better than one of these?

I'm open to suggestions....my eyes are crossing after an entire day spent in front of the computer.

Thanks,

Jen

Reaping the sweet rewards...

or what comes after the stress of preparation, the fun and laughter during the actual session, the agonizing wait to see your images, and the heartburn of deciding what to actually order.

Hopper's mommy (see the little man on the blog header above?) went all out, with metallic prints, Sugar framing, and gallery wrapped fine art canvases. She picked up her framed prints and canvases on Friday, and for the rest of the day emails trickled in with snaps of the finished product as she worked around Hop's nap schedule and found the time to hang everything. I love having the chance to see just how amazing everything looks in their home.

Sweet Hopper models the 20x24 in the living room. This is a metallic print, with a 1" rag mat and a 3" white Roma frame:



In the playroom-a fun capture of his chalkboard hangs over his "art center" (gallery wrapped fine art canvas)-this is an odd size at 10x15, but we can do almost anything with our amazing vendors.



These are both 20x24 metallic prints with a 1" mat and a 3" white Roma frame (one of the select frame manufacturers that we work with and *love*). I have this same frame in dark brown hanging in two of the rooms of my house. It's also stunning in white, as you can see.



In the playroom-a 15x30 gallery wrapped fine art canvas:



In the living room (I think? or den?)-a 16x20 metallic print with a 3" mat and the coolest silver Roma frame.



More canvases...We are working on a display of 5 15x30 gallery wrapped fine art canvases for their kitchen. Two are up, and we have another session planned for this Fall and will add a few more after that occurs. Baby #2 is due this spring (Congratulations again!) and we'll add even more then!

Session Favorites with Juliette

I'm behind in doing these (what else is new, eh?)-but wanted to share a few of the fun answers I got from Juliette's mommy. We'll look past the fact that she sent these, oh, in MID-JULY!



1.) What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Hmmm...favorite flavor of ice cream - I'll eat ANY kind of ice cream, but I've been loving (which means eating out of the carton with a spoon before bed) Century Sundae by Blue Bell.

2.) What is one of the most important things you have learned in the past year.
Man, ice cream was so much easier. In the first year of my first child, and you want me to hone in on ONE thing I've learned - mostly I've learned that my capacity to love is beyond what I could have ever believed. No one can explain that feeling until they've felt it.

3.) Do you have any hidden talents?
Well, it's hidden because I've let it fall to the wayside. I've danced all my life. I just took my first class again last week since Juliet was born, and wow, it's not like riding a bike!

4.) What is your favorite image from this session, and why?

That is really tough! There are 3 that are so close for so many different reasons, but if I have to, I'll go with 52.

How can you not love the family picture?! We are looking at her adoringly, while she is smiling like a perfect angel. What a perfect snapshot in time! I bet I'll be looking at that picture a lot when she is a teenager ; ) Remember the days......

A funny side note, you probably get the mom's perspective most of the time - Kirk's favorite picture of them all is 50.

He likes that it just looks like you caught a moment. It's like you're peeking into our real life (whereas I like the perfect peachy life in 52).

For those of you in Louisiana...

that I hear are waiting anxiously for new pictures of this little man:



Isn't Miguel growing up to be an absolute doll? We had such fun today playing in his room and enjoying all his new tricks and big, happy smiles.

I always have such a unique bond with the babies whose births I have been asked to photograph, and Miguel is part of that very special group.

Now, you need to help Mom (and I need help too) with this one. Color, or black and white?